Supporting Member

ABSTRACT

A supporting member ( 10 ), typically a fence post, or grape vine support post, including a hollow elongate member ( 11 ) having an outer rim ( 22 ), a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs ( 23,24,25 ) connected to the inside surface of the outer rim ( 22 ) and a high impact substance ( 27 ) inside the hollow elongate member ( 11 ) adapted to provide extra strength.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a supporting member, typically a post, for usein supporting a structure, apparatus or article, typically a fence.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Generally there are many types of support members such as posts used tosupport structures such as fences, buildings or other suitablestructures.

Ground engaging posts have to be of sufficient size, strength anddurability for the purpose intended.

Ground engaging posts commonly used are typically made of wood and assuch have to be chemically treated with chemicals such as Copper ChromeArsenate (CCA). However, over time the chemicals within the wooden postleak into the soil and subsequently into the water table from which drawdrinking water is drawn from. Therefore, any areas where highconcentration of posts are used in a relatively small area, such as winegrowing region, the leaking of dangerous chemicals such as CAA, into thewater aquifer can have severe consequences as the levels of thesechemicals build up over time resulting in the gradually poisoning oflivestock and/or humans who drink water drawn from the contaminatedwater aquifer.

When treated grape posts are broken at the time of grape harvest, it isreplaced with a new treated post. This post is fully treated and loadedup with CCA treatment. When placed in the ground it repeats the cycle ofdischarge and leaching of the CCA treatment back into the ground. Thisleads to a level of poisoning the water aquifer and ground crops such asgrapes, kiwi fruit, apples, etc as well as crops which may be plantedafter the posts are removed such as wheat, barley, corn, etc.

There are a number of posts now made from known plastic materialshowever these particular posts are not generally suitable in replacingwooden posts in all situations, such as supporting vines, as they do nothave the strength and durability as wood posts.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a supporting member thatameliorates the limitations and disadvantages of the known art or atleast provide the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

In one aspect the invention resides in a supporting member, typically afence post, for use in supporting a structure, typically a fence,wherein the supporting member includes a hollow elongate tubular memberhaving

-   -   (i) an outer rim,    -   (ii) a longitudinally extending central core, and    -   (iii) a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs situated        between and connected to the outer rim and the central core such        that the ribs radiate from an outer surface of the central core        to an internal surface of the outer rim.

Preferably, the supporting member is made from a lightweight and rigidmaterial.

Preferably, the lightweight and rigid material is a plastics material.

Preferably, the plastics material is a high strength light densitypolyethylene or medium density polyethylene or pvc, polypropylene, ABS,ABE or other suitable plastics material. Preferably, the lightweight andrigid material is made from fibreglass or metal, typically aluminium.

Preferably, the supporting member is extruded or injection moulded orrotary moulded or other suitable moulded or die process.

Preferably, the supporting member is coated with a coloured film.

Preferably, the supporting member is preformed with attachment means,typically wire engaging means, adapted to allow other structuralmembers, typically strands of wine, to be attached to the supportingmember.

Preferably, the attachment means are pre-drilled holes or cut slotsadapted to accommodate and retain strands of wire.

Preferably, the supporting member has a ground engaging portionconnected to the elongate tubular member, wherein the ground engagingportion is adapted to assist the supporting member being placed andretained in the ground.

Preferably, the ground engaging portion is integral with the elongatetubular member.

Preferably, the ground engaging portion is tapered.

Preferably, the ground engaging portion has screw threads adapted toallow the supporting member to be screwed into the ground.

Preferably, the elongate tubular member has a circular cross-sectionshape.

Preferably, the central core has a circular cross-sectional shape.

Preferably, the central core and ribs extend the entire length of theelongate tubular member.

Preferably, there are at least three ribs, wherein the ribs that arespaced equi-distance from one another.

Preferably, the elongate tubular member has an inner elongate memberwithin the elongate tubular member, wherein the inner elongate member isspaced and positioned between the outer rim and central core.

Preferably, the inner elongate member is ring shaped.

Preferably, a high impact substance is situated within the hollowtubular member between the internal space therein defined by the ribs,wherein the high impact substance is adapted to provide extra strengthto the supporting member.

Preferably, the high impact substance is a high impact resin, foam,styrene, sand, cement or other suitable material.

In a second aspect the invention resides in a supporting member for usein supporting a structure, wherein the supporting member includes ahollow elongate tubular member having:

-   -   (i) an outer rim, and    -   (ii) a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs situated        between and connected to internal surfaces of the outer rim.

In a third aspect the invention resides in a supporting member for usein supporting a structure, wherein the supporting member includes ahollow elongate tubular member having:

-   -   (i) an outer rim, and    -   (ii) a high impact substance positioned within the hollow        elongate tubular member.

In fourth aspect the invention resides in a supporting member, typicallya fence post, wherein the supporting member includes multiple hollowgeometrical shaped tubular members fused together along the length ofthe supporting member.

Preferably the tubular members are cylindrical or rectangular or squareor triangular or hexagonal or any other suitable geometric shape.

In fifth aspect the invention resides in a supporting member, typicallya fence post, wherein the supporting member includes multiplegeometrical shaped tubular members fused together along the length ofthe supporting member.

In a sixth aspect the invention resides in a supporting member,typically a fence post, wherein the supporting member includes multiplehollow cylindrical tubular members fused together along the length ofthe supporting member.

Preferably the hollow members have a plurality of longitudinallyextending ribs situated between and connected to internal surfaces ofthe outer rim of each hollow member.

Preferably the supporting member has three hollow cylindrical tubularmembers of equal diameter.

Preferably the three members are arranged in a triangular formation.

Preferably the space between the juncture of the three members is filledwith material.

Alternatively the supporting member has four hollow cylindrical members.

Preferably the hollow members have at least one diametral web withinthem.

Preferably, the supporting member is made from a lightweight and rigidmaterial.

Preferably, the lightweight and rigid material is a plastics material.

Preferably, the plastics material is a high strength light densitypolyethylene or medium density polyethylene or pvc, polypropylene, ABS,ABE or other suitable plastics material.

Preferably, the lightweight and rigid material is fibreglass or metal,typically aluminium.

Preferably, the supporting member is extruded, pultruded, injectionmoulded or rotary moulded or other suitable moulding or die process.

Preferably, the supporting member is coated with a coloured film or iscoloured by a master-batch process at time of moulding the product.

Preferably the supporting member has external longitudinal ridges toprovide additional rigidity.

Preferably, the supporting member is preformed with attachment means,typically wire engaging means, adapted to allow other structuralmembers, typically strands of wire, to be attached to the supportingmember.

Preferably, the attachment means are pre-drilled holes or cut slotsadapted to accommodate and retain strands of wire.

Preferably, the supporting member has a ground engaging portionconnected to the elongate tubular member, wherein the ground engagingportion is adapted to assist the supporting member being placed andretained in the ground.

Preferably, the ground engaging portion is integral with the elongatetubular member. Preferably, the ground engaging portion is tapered.

Preferably, the ground engaging portion has screw threads adapted toallow the supporting member to be screwed into the ground.

Preferably, the supporting member has a cap at each end of thesupporting member, such that one cap is adapted to assist the supportingmember being inserted in or attached to the ground or surface.

Preferably, said one cap has ground engaging means, wherein the groundengaging portion is adapted to assist the supporting member being placedand retained in the ground or on a surface.

Preferably, the supporting member has at least one rib on its outersurface.

Preferably, the rib extends longitudinal along the outer surface of thesupporting member.

Preferably there is a plurality of ribs, wherein the ribs are equallyspaced apart from one another.

Any other aspect hereinafter described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a supporting member inaccordance to a first aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a supporting member inaccordance to a second aspect of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a supporting member inaccordance to a third aspect of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cutaway view of a supporting member with a groundengaging portion in accordance to a fourth aspect of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cutaway view of a supporting member with a groundengaging portion in accordance to a fifth aspect of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a view of a cap for supporting member as shown in anyone of FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a supporting member with a groundengaging portion in accordance to a fourth aspect of the invention

FIG. 8 illustrates perspective view of a first form of a supportingmember in accordance with a first aspect of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an end view of the supporting member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 illustrates an end view of a supporting member in accordance toa second aspect of the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates an end view of a supporting member in accordance towith a fourth aspect of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a supporting member, post 10, havinghollow elongate member 11. The hollow elongate member 11 has an outerrim 12 defining an internal space 16. Within the internal space 16 arepositioned ribs 13, 14, 15.

The ribs 13, 14, 15 provide rigidity to the post and extend the entirelength of the hollow tubular member 11. The ribs are preferably spacedequidistance apart from each other. Preferably, there are at least threeribs, however any number of ribs are envisaged.

In use as a fence post, the post is erected in the usual manner eg bydigging methods or impact/vibrating method.

The post can be made from a lightweight and rigid material. Typically itis envisaged that the post be made from a lightweight and rigid materialis a plastics material. Such as a high strength light densitypolyethylene or medium density polyethylene (most preferred) or PVC,polypropylene, ABS, ABE or other suitable plastics material. The postcould also be made from other lightweight and rigid materials such asfibreglass or metal, typically aluminium.

The post is made from an extrusion process however other manufactureprocesses are envisaged such as injection moulding or rotary moulding.The post can be coloured and this can be achieved by applying a colouredfilm during manufacture thereof. The main colour of the manufacture ofthe post would be black medium density polyethylene. However the postcould have a thin colour film applied to the outside of the pipe duringthe moulding process. This is purely to enhance its looks andaesthetics.

The post is preformed with attachment means typically wire engagingmeans, adapted to allow other structural members, typically strands ofwine, to the post. The attachment means are pre-drilled holes or cutslots adapted to accommodate strands of wire.

Turning to FIG. 2 another aspect of the invention is shown. The post 20differs from the post in FIG. 1 by having a central core 26 to which theribs 23, 24, 25 radiate from the central core 26 to the outer rim 22defining internal spaces 27 a, 27 b, 27 c. Within the internal spaces 27a, 27 b, 27 c a high impact substance can be added to increase thestrength to the post. The high impact substance is a high impact resin,foam, styrene, sand, cement or other suitable material.

FIG. 3 shows a further aspect of the invention in which the post 30 hasan outer rim 32, an internal ring having ring portions 32 a, 32 b, 32 cand a central core 36. Ribs 33, 34, 35, 34 a, 34 b, 34 c are positionedwithin the post 30 to radiate out from the central core 36 to andthrough the inner ring portions 32 a, 32 b, 32 c and to the outer rim32. The arrangement and position of the inner ring and the ribs defineinternal spaces 37 a, 37 b, 37 c, 37 d, 37 e and 37 f into which a highimpact substance and be placed to provide extra strength and rigidity tothe post.

FIG. 4 and 7 shows a post 40 having a ground engaging portion 47consisting of screw threaded portion 49 tapering to a point 48. The post40, in use, is able to be screwed into the ground by placing the point48 on to the ground and turning the post in one direction in which thescrew threaded portion 49 causes the ground engaging portion 47 to windinto the ground. To remove the post the post is wound in the oppositedirection.

FIG. 5 shows another type of post 50 having another ground engagingportion. The ground engaging portion consists of an upper taperedportion 57 and a lower tapered portion 59 having point 58. This post 50is adapted to be hammered into or vibrated into the ground.

FIG. 6 shows a cap 19 suitable to be placed over the top and bottom ofthe post so as to keep out rain water, irrigation water, soil, leavesetc and to also enhance the aesthetics of the post.

The post in another embodiment (not shown) can include hollow elongatetubular member having an outer rim, and a high impact substancepositioned within the hollow elongate tubular member.

The high impact substance can be any material that when placed withinthe hollow elongate member or members is such that it adds rigidity andstrength to the post. Example of high impact substance that can be usedare a high impact resin, foam, styrene, sand, cement, dirt, pebbles,stone chips or any combination thereof.

The post as disclosed herein has the advantages of being lightweight,rigid, inexpensive, less labour intensive to use, able to be reinforcedwith high impact substances, easy to remove, safe to the environment andwater table

Referring to FIG. 8 there is generally shown a perspective view of theend of a post 100 having three hollow elongate members 101. Each hollowelongate member 101 has a wall of sufficient thickness to suit it forthe intended use and the walls are fused together along the length ofthe post. Thus where the post is intended for use in stony ground thewall thickness may be greater to withstand the greater driving forcesrequired.

The central aperture 102 may be a void or it may be filled either withthe material of the post or with a material to provide stiffness withoutproviding undue additional weight.

As shown in FIG. 9, with the end view of the post of FIG. 8, the wallsof the elongate members 201 may be merged at 203 to a single wallthickness, although alternatively the two may merely be close enoughthat they may be fused together.

FIG. 10 shows an end view of an alternative version in which ribs 302are provided inside elongate members 301 to give additional lateralrigidity. While the ribs shown are oriented radially from the centre ofthe post they may be otherwise oriented, for example circumferentiallyaround the post centre.

FIG. 11 shows an end view of a further variation in which the elongatemembers 401 are surround by a larger circumferential elongate member 403which also forms part of the fused assembly. Ribs 402 act to provideadditional rigidity.

Additional external ribs (not shown) may also be provided both for morerigidity, and to allow holes to be provided in them for the passage orcapture of fence wires.

While FIG. 8 to 11 show a post with three elongate members the use oftwo and upwards is feasible. Thus a pole with two elongate members has arigidity that varies strongly with the orientation of the post, allowingit to be oriented in a manner which best serves its purpose. Forinstance when used to support grape vines, where strainer posts take themajor side loading, the post of the invention with only two elongatemembers may be oriented to take the lateral loads.

A post with four elongate members provides a shape more closelyapproximating a square wooden post and can thus use hardware typicallyused with wooden posts.

While the elongate members shown in the figures are all equal sized thesizes may be varied either for aesthetic reasons or to provide strengthin a certain direction.

In use as a fence post, the post is erected in the usual manner eg bydigging methods or impact/vibrating methods.

A tapered nose may be attached to the post to allow easier driving, butin softer ground the post is capable of being driven or vibrated intothe ground without such aids. The post can be made from a lightweightand rigid material. Typically it is envisaged that the post be made froma lightweight and rigid material is a plastics material. Such as a highstrength light density polyethylene or medium density polyethylene (mostpreferred) or PVC, polypropylene, ABS, ABE or other suitable plasticsmaterial and may include fibreglass reinforcing. The post could also bemade from other lightweight and rigid materials such as fibreglass ormetal, typically aluminium.

To reinforce the post for driving, it may be filled with a materialwhich may later dissolve, for instance where the pole is used in anagricultural setting it may contain cast superphosphate fertiliser,which will gradually leach out.

The post is preferably made from an extrusion process, and if fibreglassis included may be made by pultrusion. Other manufacture processes areenvisaged such as injection moulding or rotary moulding. The post can becoloured and this can be achieved by applying a coloured film duringmanufacture thereof. Preferably the main colour of the manufacture ofthe post would be black medium density polyethylene, but other coloureddensity polyethylene could be similar used. However the post could havea thin colour film applied to the outside of the pipe during themoulding process. This is purely to enhance its looks and aesthetics.

The post as disclosed herein has the advantages of being lightweight,rigid, inexpensive, less labour intensive to use, able to be reinforcedwith high impact substances, easy to remove, safe to the environment andwater table.

The post can be made from any suitable material or combination ofmaterials that produces a post which is rigid and has strength to standup to the rigours and abuse applied to the post over a substantialperiod of the posts life. Examples of the materials envisaged to be usedare Steel, Copper, Ferrous & non-ferrous metals, Wood, Sand, Gravel,Cement, Plastic, Resin, Fiberglass, Carbon fiber, Grit, Shells, Bark,Water, Oil, Oil products, Stone, Rock, Ore, Rubber, Leather, Cork, Balsawood, Saw dust, Wood shavings, China/porcelain, Concrete, Mortar,Plaster, Nylon, Glass, Cellulose, Flour, Grain, Wire, Feathers, Bamboo,Food, Wool, Silicone, Plants, Vegetables, Ash, Bricks/blocks, Tar, Bone,Hair, Fur, Polystyrene, Wax, Teflon, Flax, Foam, Beads, Pinecones,Leaves, Lava, Pumas, Liquid, Bubble wrap, Slime, Radioactive materials,Gold, Silver, Lead, Manure, Teeth, Glue, Lime/calcium, Rust, Seeds,Chrome, Paint, Zinc, Brass, Film, Video & Cassette tapes or anycombination thereof.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integersor components known equivalents, then such equivalents are deemed to beincorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Throughout the description of this specification the word “comprise” andvariations of that word such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are notintended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given byway of illustrative example of this invention, all such and othermodifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to personsskilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambitof this invention as is herein set forth and as claimed in the appendedclaim set.

1. A supporting member for use in supporting a structure wherein thesupporting member includes a hollow elongate tubular member having: (i)an outermost tubular exterior member, (ii) a longitudinally extendingtubular internal member within the tubular exterior member, wherein thetubular internal member is substantially proximate to and spaced adistance from the tubular exterior member to define an internal cavitytherebetween, (iii) a plurality of longitudinally extending ribssituated between and integrally connected to an inner surface of thetubular exterior member and integrally connected to an outer surface ofthe tubular internal member such that the ribs radiate from said outersurface to said internal surface within the internal cavity, (iv) a highimpact substance positioned within the internal cavity such that thehigh impact substance is adapted to provide extra strength to thesupporting member, (v) at least one rib on the outer surface of theexterior member, and (vi) a ground engaging portion connected to theelongate tubular member, wherein the ground engaging portion is adaptedto assist the supporting member being placed and retained in the ground2. The supporting member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubularinternal member is hollow defining a core region.
 3. The supportingstructure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the core region is adapted tobe filled with a high impact substance.
 4. A supporting member assemblywherein the supporting member assembly includes multiple supportingmembers as claimed in claim 1, wherein each supporting member is fusedtogether along a length of the supporting members.
 5. The supportingmember as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular members arecylindrical or rectangular or square or triangular or hexagonal or anyother suitable geometric shape.
 6. The supporting member assembly asclaimed in claim 4, wherein the tubular members are cylindrical orrectangular or square or triangular or hexagonal or any other suitablegeometric shape.
 7. The supporting member as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe supporting member is made from a lightweight and rigid material. 8.The supporting member as claimed in claim 6, wherein the lightweight andrigid material is a plastics material.
 9. The supporting member asclaimed in claim 7, wherein the plastics material is a high strengthlight density polyethylene or medium density polyethylene or PVC,polypropylene, ABS, ABE or any other suitable plastics material.
 10. Thesupporting member as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lightweight andrigid material is made from fiberglass or metal, typically aluminum orwood or a combination any one of aforementioned.
 11. The supportingmember as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lightweight and rigid materialis made from a combination of plastics, fiberglass or metal, typicallyaluminum or wood or any other suitable material.
 12. The supportingmember as claimed in claim 7, wherein the supporting member is extrudedor injection moulded or rotary moulded or other suitable moulded or dieprocess.
 13. The supporting member as claimed in claim 7, wherein thesupporting member is coated with a colored film.
 14. The supportingmember as claimed in claim 7, wherein the supporting member is preformedwith attachment means, typically wire engaging means, adapted to allowother structural members, typically strands of wine, to be attached tothe supporting member.
 15. The supporting member as claimed in claim 14wherein the attachment means are pre-drilled holes or cut slots adaptedto accommodate and retain strands of wire.
 16. The supporting member asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the ground engaging portion is integral withsaid elongate tubular member.
 17. The supporting member as claimed inclaim 16, wherein the ground engaging portion is tapered.
 18. Thesupporting member as claimed in claim 17, wherein the ground engagingportion has screw threads adapted to allow the supporting member to bescrewed into the ground.
 19. The supporting member as claimed in claim1, wherein the elongate tubular member has a circular cross-sectionshape.
 20. The supporting member as claimed in claim 1, wherein thetubular inner member has a circular cross-sectional shape.
 21. Thesupporting member as claimed in claim 20, wherein the tubular innermember and ribs extend the entire length of the elongate tubular member.22. The supporting member as claimed in claim 21, wherein there are atleast three ribs, wherein the ribs that are spaced equi-distance fromone another.
 23. The supporting member as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe elongate tubular member has an inner ring within the elongatetubular member, wherein the inner ring is spaced and positioned betweenthe tubular exterior member and tubular inner member.
 24. The supportingmember as claimed in claim 1, wherein the high impact substance is ahigh impact resin, foam, styrene, sand, cement, dirt, pebbles, stonechips, grit, ash, beads, saw dust, wood shavings or other suitablematerial.
 25. The supporting member as claimed claim 4, wherein thesupporting member has three hollow cylindrical tubular members of equaldiameter.
 26. The supporting member as claimed in claim 25, wherein thethree members are arranged in a triangular formation.
 27. The supportingmember as claimed in claim 26, wherein the space between the juncture ofthe three members is filled with a material.
 28. The supporting memberas claimed in claim 27, wherein the material is a high impact substance.29. The supporting member as claimed claim 4, wherein the supportingmember has four hollow cylindrical members.
 30. The supporting member asclaimed claim 4, wherein the hollow members have at least one diametralweb within them.
 31. The supporting member as claimed in claim 1,wherein the supporting member is made from either Steel, Copper, Ferrous& non-ferrous metals, Wood, Sand, Gravel, Cement, Plastic, Resin,Fiberglass, Carbon fiber, Grit, Shells, Bark, Water, Oil, Oil products,Stone, Rock, Ore, Rubber, Leather, Cork, Balsa wood, Saw dust, Woodshavings, China/porcelain, Concrete, Mortar, Plaster, Nylon, Glass,Cellulose, Flour, Grain, Wire, Feathers, Bamboo, Food, Wool, Silicone,Plants, Vegetables, Ash, Bricks/blocks, Tar, Bone, Hair, Fur,Polystyrene, Wax, Teflon, Flax, Foam, Beads, Pinecones, Leaves, Lava,Pumas, Liquid, Bubble wrap, Slime, Radioactive materials, Gold, Silver,Lead, Manure, Teeth, Glue, Lime/calcium, Rust, Seeds, Chrome, Paint,Zinc, Brass, Film, Video & Cassette tapes or any combination thereof.32. The supporting member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supportingmember has a cap at each end of the supporting member, such that one capis adapted to assist the supporting member being inserted in to theground or attached to a surface.
 33. The supporting member as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the rib extends longitudinal along the outer surface ofthe supporting member.
 34. The supporting member as claimed in claim 33,wherein there is a plurality of ribs that are equally spaced apart fromone another.
 35. A post wherein the post includes a hollow elongatetubular member having (i) a tubular exterior member, (ii) alongitudinally extending tubular internal member within the tubularexterior member, wherein the tubular internal member is approximate toand spaced a distance from the tubular exterior member to define aninternal cavity therebetween, (iii) a plurality of longitudinallyextending ribs situated between and integrally connected to an innersurface of the tubular exterior member and integrally connected to anouter surface of the tubular internal member such that the ribs radiatefrom said outer surface to said internal surface within the internalcavity, (iv) a high impact substance positioned within the internalcavity such that the high impact substance is adapted to provide extrastrength to the supporting member, and (v) a tapered ground engagingportion adapted to allow the post to be inserted into the ground.
 36. Afence post wherein the post includes a hollow elongate tubular memberhaving (i) a tubular exterior member, (ii) a longitudinally extendingtubular internal member within the tubular exterior member, wherein thetubular internal member is approximate to and spaced a distance from thetubular exterior member to define an internal cavity therebetween, (iii)a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs situated between andintegrally connected to an inner surface of the tubular exterior memberand integrally connected to an outer surface of the tubular internalmember such that the ribs radiate from said outer surface to saidinternal surface within the internal cavity, (vi) a high impactsubstance positioned within the internal cavity such that the highimpact substance is adapted to provide extra strength to the supportingmember, and (iv) a tapered ground engaging portion adapted to allow thepost to be inserted into the ground. 37.-41. (canceled)